Comedy Overture by John Ireland (1879-1962). For Concert Band (Piccolo, 1st Flute, 2nd Flute, 1st Oboe, 2nd Oboe*, 1st Bb Clarinet, 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3rd Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Clarinet*, Bb Bass Clarinet, 1st Bassoon, 2nd Bassoon*, 1st Eb Alto Saxophone, 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone*). Band Music. Grade 5. Score and parts. Duration 10:30. Published by C. Alan Publications (CN.R10004).
Originally composed for Brass Band in 1934 "Comedy Overture" is, despite its name, a serious piece of writing. The term Overture does not imply that there is anything else to follow; it is used in the 19th century sense of Concert Overture (like Mendelssohn's "Fingal's Cave" - in other words, a miniature Tone Poem).The 1930's was a period of Ireland's mature writing - yielding the Piano Concerto (1930), the Legend for piano and orchestra (1933), and the choral work "These Things Shall Be" (1936-1937). We are fortunate therefore to have both "Comedy Overture" and "A Downland Suite" (1932) written for band medium at this time.As with "Maritime Overture" (written in 1944 for military band) Ireland approaches his material symphonically. The opening three notes state immediately the two seminal intervals of a semitone and a third. These are brooding and dark in Bb minor. It is these intervals which make up much of the thematic content of "Comedy," sometimes appearing in inverted form, and sometimes in major forms as well.The concept that some musical intervals are consonant , some dissonant, and some perfect is perhaps useful in understanding the nature of the tension and resolution of this work. The third is inherently unstable, and by bar 4, the interval is expanded to a fourth - with an ascending sem-quaver triplet - and then expanded to a fifth. The instability of the third pushes it towards a "perfect" resolution in the fourth or the fifth.The slow introduction is built entirely around these intervals in Bb minor and leads through an oboe cadenza, to an Allegro moderato brillante in Bb major.Once again, the semi-tone (inverted) and a third (major) comprise the main, chirpy, theme-inspired by a London bus-conductor's cry of "Piccadilly." (Much of the material in "Comedy" was re-conceived by Ireland for orchestra and published two years later under the title "A London Overture.")The expansion of the interval of a third through a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh now takes place quickly before our very ears at the outset of this quicker section.Immediately the theme is developed, inverted, and accents displaced across the bar line to give a 3/2 feel against the written meter. But this restlessness leads to a tranquillo built around an arpeggio figure and presented by flute and clarinet. Ireland weaves his flowing counterpoint around this melody until the original slow introduction returns leading to a stretto effect as the rising bass motifs become more urgent, requesting a resolution of the tension of that original semitone and minor third.Yet resolution is withheld at this point as the music becomes almost becalmed in a further, unrelated tranquillo section marked pianissimo. It is almost as if another side of Ireland's nature is briefly allowed to shine through the stern counterpoint and disciplined structure.This leads to virtually a full recapitulation of the chirpy "brilliante," with small additional touches of counterpoint, followed by the first tranquillo section-this time in the tonic of Bb major. But the instability of the third re-asserts itself, this time demanding a resolution. And a triumphant resolution it receives, for it finally becomes fully fledged and reiterates the octave in a closing vivace. The opening tension has at last resolved itself into the most perfect interval of all.

The Ultimate Comedy Collection. (New and Old Favorites). Lillenas Publications. Sacred. CD Rom. Lillenas Publishing Company #MP868CD. Published by Lillenas Publishing Company (HL.71901080).
A unique blend of hand-picked favorites collides with newly “brewed” sketches from funny duo Martha Bolton and Torry Martin creating an ultimate collection of laughs. Spanning their history of writing with Lillenas, the two acclaimed and award-winning writers share what inspired them to craft scripts that have stood the test of time. And they also share their 10 latest scripts to delight and amuse. And with this CD-ROM, you load everything onto your computer and forget about keeping track of which drama team member borrowed your favorite funny scripts last. Do yourself a favor and start learning through laughter today! Most sketches run 4 to 8 minutes. Compatible with Windows & Macintosh.

Notes On The Human Comedy by Robert Baksa. For Voice, Piano. Published by Composers Library Editions (PR.491006390).
The four songs in Notes on the Human Comedy have little in common aside from their humorous content. Of the authors, only D. H. Lawrence is widely known - and he is known for his novels rather than his poetry. Baksa matches his writing to the texts in effective, often playful fashion. For advanced performers.

Comedy Tonight by Stephen Sondheim (1930-). Arranged by Ralph Ford. Orchestra. Full Orchestra. Pop Intermediate Full Orchestra. Broadway; Contemporary. Grade 3. Conductor Score & Parts. 136 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.25031).
A fabulous setting of this great show tune by Ralph Ford! From the Broadway musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, this tune will be a sure audience-pleaser. This may be played by strings alone or with any combination of winds.

Symphonies Nos. 1-3/ Comedy Ov by Iceland SO; Sakari. By Leevi Madetoja. 2 listening CDs. Published by Chandos (NX.CHAN-6626-2-).
Release date: 7/1/00.
About Listening CDs
Listening CDs are traditional music recordings. Listening CDs make a great educational supplement - hear exceptional professionals play the music you're learning! Or, just enjoy listening to the music you love.

Satiric Dances (for a Comedy by Aristophanes). (Score and Parts). By Norman Dello Joio (1913-). Score & Parts. Score and full set of parts.. Hal Leonard Concert Band Series. Grade 4.. Grade 4-5. G. Schirmer #AMP7464. Published by G. Schirmer (HL.50244620).
ISBN 0793594340. 9x12 inches.
A significant figure in American music, Norman Dello Joio composed several works for band that have become part of the standard literature. This composition from 1975 features Mediterranean folk dance influences and offers a distinctive and dramatic setting for band. (Grade 4).

The Limpid Stream, Op. 39. (A Comedy Ballet in 3 Acts and 4 Scenes Ballet Piano Score). By Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975). Piano. DSCH. Book only. 236 pages. Published by DSCH (HL.50484214).
ISBN 0634078364. 8.5x11.75 inches.
Shostakovich himself made the piano solo reduction of his third full-length story ballet, which was premiered in what was then Leningrad in 1935. The composer described the piece as “happy, light, entertaining.” The simple socialist story reflects the time of composition. A group of ballet dancers from Moscow travels on tour to the rural Kuban region. At first there is tension between the native farmers and the urban artists, but they discover many commonalities, including a farmer/ballerina romance. This is the only edition available of the piece. Paperback. 232 pages.

Scenes from a Comedy by Philip Sparke (1951-). Score & Parts. Anglo Music Concert Band. Grade 5. Anglo Music Press #AMP197. Published by Anglo Music Press (HL.44007320).
This work has no specific programme, but represents scenes from an imaginary pantomime in the commedia dell'arte tradition. A fine work with many contrasts, from triumphal fanfares through tender waltzes to a peasant dance, this major new work for advanced concert bands is sure to become a much-performed item in your concert repertoire. Dur: 8:30.

Comedy Tonight by Stephen Sondheim (1930-). Arranged by Roy Phillippe. Concert Band. Concert Band. Pop Concert Band. Broadway. Grade 3. Conductor Score & Parts. 308 pages. Duration 2:19. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.CBM05012).
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is one of Broadway's biggest hits and "Comedy Tonight" is possibly the musical's best-loved songs. With a number of comical effects, this arrangement demonstrates some diverse styles with the familiar melody. A pleasant addition to your pops concert. (2:19).

Overture from the Fairy Tale Comedy by Ole Olsen (1850-1927). Arranged by Bjorn Mellemberg. Overtures. Band Music Series. Score and set of parts. Duration 8 minutes, 25 seconds. Published by Molenaar Edition (ML.07776706690520).

Comedy Capers. (Ouverture (Opus 181)). By Gerard Boedijn. For Fanfare Band. Original Overtures / Joke/Fairy Tale/Narrator / The Best Original Pieces for Concert Band. Original Pieces. Grade 4. Score. Published by Molenaar Edition (ML.021000080-S).
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